Boots and Superdrug haul! Some old favourites and some new things I've been wanting to try out!

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I've been a bit quiet in the blogging world over the summer, this is down to working quite a bit and also trying to restrain myself from buying any more products before I've used up the ones I've got (an impossible task let me tell you...) I've got quite a big haul here and the reason is that it's getting colder here in the UK and I'm finding that my 'summer' products, especially skincare products, just aren't nourishing my skin! So I thought I'd go ahead and try some new products in preparation for winter :)

Superdrug Naturally Radiant skincare range
Hot cloth cleansers are raved about in the blogging world, in particular the Liz Earle brand. With that one being out of my price range, I came across this Superdrug one and at only £2.99 it was a must have! Recently I've been slacking when it comes to removing my make up, which is a bad idea as I have problem skin as it is...... so this gentle approach I'm really looking forward to trying! I went and bought the night and day creams from the range too, so I'll do an update if anyone would be interested just leave a comment below :)

Essie Rock Solid base coat
my nails have been a nightmare recently, peeling and breaking... so I took advantage of the 3 for 2 offer in  boots and got myself the Essie base coat and the collection 2000 essentials which I always go back to. The Lasting perfection powder in Fair, and the lasting perfection concealer in 2 Fair. 

Laidbare pore mask
OHDEUXFOIS recommended this face mask as a great way to minimise pores and generally make your skin really really soft! She reviewed it and first of all commented on the smell... I completely agree, it's an amazing smell! The notes that come through the strongest are liquorice and its really a treat to use. I'll do an in depth review on this if you're wondering how I'm getting on with it, I've only used it once so far so can't really offer any real views in terms of the effects!

Dove products (their stuff always smells SO good!) & toothpaste!
I always seem to go back to this deoderant, smells insane and does the job! perfect! The dove leave in treatment for hair is a risky product for me.... I have fine hair, but due to dying, it's been quite brittle at the ends and generally looks a bit of a haystack so I'm looking forward to using this at night and hopefully (fingers crossed) it won't leave my hair greasy for days... I've stayed away from all the hair oils out at the moment because of the grease factor, but I thought I'd give this a try seeing as it was only £1.99!
Toothpaste is a slight obsession at the moment, my teeth are quite white anyway, but I want them to have that wow factor, so I've been intrigued by the colgate 1 week whitening one :) I'll let you know how I get on!

Quite a big haul for me.... although I did pick up some bargains along the way! I really think that the Superdrug range is a good deal, as I can end up spending a fortune on skincare (Philosophy etc) so it's nice to try cheaper alternatives! And from the reviews I've seen, the hot cloth cleanser is very comparable to the Liz Earle cleanse and polish!

Thanks for reading, I appreciate your comments and will reply to them asap :)
~Lucy~

Simplified skincare regime....

In my previous posts, I have talked about my problem skin, being combination/dry and liking Clinique's Anti Blemish Solutions. I recently re purchased this kit, even the moisturiser (which I usually replace with the Dramatically Different Lotion) and I really regret buying the set this time.....


Recently my face has become quite oily, perhaps due to the change in weather, as it's getting warmer here in the UK. I have to say, I am absolutely loving the Clearing Moisturiser (Anti Blemish) but the rest of the 3-Step I have had to remove from the regime. I honestly now believe that the more gentle the better, and the Clinique products do tend to be quite harsh. They are spot fighting, but for sensitive/dry skin, they can be too aggravating!

Trying something new....


I have been trying the 'Simple' range, as I wanted to see if using gentle products, with no perfumes, would actually help my skin. What I've been trying:

'Kind to eyes' eye make up remover

- gentle enough to use on the eye area with absolutely no discomfort at all!!
- really does remove all make up, and quickly!
- available in travel size, perfect for travelling or trying the product!

'Kind to skin' soothing facial toner


- gentle but refreshing, perfect after a hot shower before applying make up
- 'Simple Soothing Skin Toner removes the last traces of make-up and cleanser and helps to clarify and refresh your skin.'

Cetaphil Cleanser £4, Asda

Another VITAL part of my new regime is my cleanser. I have been trying Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser, as I have seen so many positive reviews about this product! It is soooooo gentle, feels great and I can literally say that it has improved my skin. If I go a few days without using it for any reason, I can feel my blemishes coming back!


This product is great, and really cheap, I found it in Asda for £4! It seems to have lasted me about 2 months now, and it's got loads left! I think it comes in different types, for example oily skin, and dry skin. I've got the dry skin one for my combination/dry skin :)


Recommend to a friend?
Yes! 

Thanks for reading, any comments welcome! If you think I should try a product that's been good for you also feel free to let me know :D always open to suggestions!


Lucy x

Clinique 3-Step Anti-Blemish Solutions Product Review

Product Review for Clinique's 3-Step Anti-Blemish Solutions

I'll start of first of all by telling you that I have dry-combination skin. My skin is acne-prone (I have suffered with acne since the age of 12, and I still get the occasional flare ups almost ten years later! Sucks eh?) My flare ups are pretty much confined to the chin area and forehead. My face tends to get greasy around the chin/nose and dry on the cheeks/forehead, nightmare if like me you like wearing everything when it comes to make up (foundation, powder, bronzer, blusher!)

Trying Clinique for the first time:

I have been through all the standard 'drug store' skin care ranges, and found myself getting frustrated at my skin, make up just never applied smoothly, and I'd end up greasy and spotty by the end of the day. Luckily, I was in my local Department Store, and browsing the Clinique counter, when a helpful assistant offered me trial sizes of the Anti-Blemish Range, this included: Cleansing Bar for Face and Body, Clarifying Lotion (15ml) and Clearing Moisturiser (15ml). I had never considered Clinique before, as it was quite out of my price range, being a student with no part-time job!

The Clinique Anti-Blemish 3-Step skincare system actually works! (well, for me it does!) It dries up those greasy areas, and horrible spots! I have to say though, with having dry areas, I find that the Clearing Moisturiser does not nourish my skin as I would like (because of its spot fighting ingredients which inevitably dry up the spots/skin) I use in its place Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion (not gel). This moisturiser works really well for me, as part of my Anti-Blemish system, as now I have the best of both worlds, spot fighting treatment & moisture in those dry areas, perfect! I also prefer the Cleansing Foam rather than the bar (for convenience really!)

How do I use my 3-Step Skincare System?

I find that I get the best results when I use my 3-Step Anti-Blemish solutions twice a day, every day! It prepares my skin in the morning for make-up, which then glides on and stays on longer! At night I can see and feel my skin looking more refreshed and moisturised, with no traces of make up left (essential to keep that skin free of clogged pores which can lead to a flare up of acne!) This is my routine morning and night:

1. wet the face and neck

2. one pump of cleansing foam, lather in the hands

3. smooth over face gently (avoiding eyes) and rinse with warm water

4. pat face dry

5. apply Clarifying Lotion to cotton pad and wipe over face and neck

6. follow with Dramatically Different Moisturising lotion, face and neck 

Alternatives?

I've found that a cheaper alternative to the Anti-Blemish system is the Superdrug Tea Tree range, but again, if you have dry skin, I would suggest using a richer moisturiser, as the blemish ones can be quite drying. Another alternative, from Clinique, is the 3-Step skin type 2. They currently do starter kits (smaller products in a set) for £20. I bought this set, because they unfortunately do not do an Anti-Blemish starter kit! Skin type 2 caters for dry-combination skin, so I thought I'd give this a try! If you don't mind the slight tingling sensation that the Clarifying Lotion gives, then this is certainly worth a try! I have found that it works just as well as the Anti-Blemish, but the lower price gives it the edge! 

I hope you found this review helpful and please ask any questions you might have and I'll try to answer them! Thanks for reading and feel free to leave a comment about your own experiences with Clinique!